Beautiful Red Dress

Because I love you guys, Ive included a tut so you can make something similar for a beautiful little girl in your life too. This dress is totally customisable, and can easily be made to fit any size or shape. No small person… why not make one for yourself?

Crochet Yoke Dress Tutorial

I used a 4mm hook and 8ply cotton to make this yoke. If you choose a different weight yarn choose an appropriate hook.

First up you need to make the motifs you are going to join together to make your dress yoke. Ive drawn up a chart for the square I used for this yoke here… but any square you choose will probably be just fine. Once your squares are sewn together they need to measure the same distance as the chest measurement of the dress. This dress needed 10 squares joined to measure around Maia’s chest. It’s simple to make this dress as big or as small as you like – just increase or decrease the number of squares you make.

You also need to crochet your straps. To make these straps, chain 7 then single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in every chain across. Chain 1, turn and crochet back in each stitch across. Repeat until the straps are long enough- about 20 rows. Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew the straps to the yoke.

Sew your squares together. I left a gap so I could add buttons to the back to make getting the dress on or off easier, really I’m not sure you need this because the cotton has plenty of stretch… but you decide. Check that it fits at this point, if you are a little out you may be able to add a row or two of single crochet to increase the size slightly- you definitely don’t want it to be too tight.

Single crochet all the way around the yoke (top and bottom). If you are going to add buttons crochet button holes on one of the ends by chaining two, skipping two stitches and then single crochet three, chain two, skip two stitches and single crochet to the end of the last square. Once you have finished, sew your straps on. When the straps are in place single crochet another full round (including the neck line and underarm) and two rows of single crochet all around the bottom.

Cut out your dress – see the suggestions here. Use any fabric you like, I chose a cotton drill of a medium weight, a stretch would also be nice, and because a knit is unlikely to fray you could probably get away without over sewing your edges. Up cycle an old item of clothing- a dress of skirt which you love and is now out of date or too small, there are so many possibilities!

Sew your side seams together and over sew all edges to reduce fraying.

With right sides facing pin yoke to the dress top- if you’ve got the measurements right your dress top should be the same size!

I sew the two pieces together with the right sides showing so I can see exactly how it will look when its finished. I make small stitches on the diagonal.

From the fabric to over the top of the edge of the bottom single crochet chain.

Which when pulled tight are pretty much invisible:

Once you have finished sewing the yoke on, position and sew on buttons if you are using them.

Measure and pin hem. When Im sewing girl’s skirts and dresses, I like to do this by measuring down all the way from the top of the yoke… this ensures I have the same length the entire way round.

Sew hem in place evenly using a seam marker on your machine- I used the 15mm mark. This gives the hem an even seam all the way around even if you are like me and the original cut was crooked.

Iron dress…

That’s it- all done!!

Pat yourself on the back for a job well done…

And find a small person to wear!Love!

I do hope you give this a go, its really very easy… leave me a comment if you get stuck and Ill try to give you a hand. Jxo

You deserve a great big pat on the back, that dress is sooo cute and of course the model is wonderful.
It feels to cold here to make a sumer dress at the moment but would love to make one once it warms up. Great tutorial x

Just wanted to stop by and say how lovely this little dress is – I spotted it over on Ravelry and fell in love. Will have to have a go at making it when my baby girl is a bit bigger. Thanks so much for the lovely tutorial

Mine is almost finished.. and it’s looking so cute!!!
Thank you so much for this tutorial..
Tonight going to sew she skirt to it.. just measerd my DD..I will mail you the photo when it’s done!!!!
I’m loving it already!!!

I love this dress soooooooo much!!! I’m defo going to make one each for my girls, they would look so very cute – thank you for posting the how-to details :o) …. I’m going to have to ask my mum very nicely to do the sewing bit though … or maybe she can teach me – learning to sew is on my life list! xx

I love this – such a brilliant idea! And such clear instructions. I don’t have a small girl to make one of these for but am wondering about an adult version which as you suggest would simply need more squares for the bodice bit…. What fun!

Simple pattern (why didn’t I think of it?!!), but VERY, VERY PRETTY. I can picture my 1year old & 3year old Grandbabies in matching red dresses!! Red is a favorite color of mine these days. Thank you from San Jose, California.:)

Thank you so much for posting this pattern! I found it via Ravelry and I just made a similar dress, heavily relying on your instructions and it turned out really cute. If you’re interested, I posted a pic on my Ravely page, my user name is McMartina. Thanks again – it’s such a nice summer dress!

Hi Hon!! This dress and the crocheted yoke on your cutest little model, (a natural)!! is so sweet and I look forward to making it, I think I could even crochet myself this yoke for a simple dress, let alone perhaps some special little girls I know!! Thank you so much for sharing and the instructions are just great!!

This is really really cute….have you done one for a newborn baby? I make reborn dolls and I would love to be able to do one that small….any suggestions? Thanks so much for sharing….your little model is a doll! Thanks again!

HI Carrie, no I don’t but it would be easy to use the same idea and make in any size. Just crochet the number of granny squares needed to reach around the chest of your doll then make a skirt to fit the yoke. Good luck! Janette

Ok so I just made one and am wondering a couple of things! you said 8ply yarn? what is that? I used Sugar nCream cotton but it is only 4 ply. What size dress does this turn out to be? I was trying to fit it to my granddaughter long distance over skype and have decided to take my sample and drive to see them this weekend. I was just wondering for reference if I was doing it right?

Hello, just found your blog and this beautiful dress. I’m bowled over by it and need to make one for my daughter as soon as possible!
I do have one question if you don’t mind, does it wash ok? My daughter is not the cleanest…!
Thanks so much for the tutorial, I shall share a picture when I’m done 🙂

Just downloaded the pattern for the red dress…love it…as the ” Nunny” to four young grand daughters I have been busy making similar dresses. Love the yolk on this pieces it is easy enough and have the perfect fabric…thank you bunches for sharing your patterns….be blessed